Saturday, February 21, 2009

Lifestyle takes a HIT

Global recession ,slowingdown of economy , financial meltdown are the few terms discussed at length these days .Everyday each and every newspaper brings out an editorial on such hot topics explaining the causes and the effects of the above dreaded words .The countries all around the globe are making every effort to deal with the slowdown .Unemloyment is at it's peak and the fear of losing the job in these trying times is creating a havoc in the minds of the people .Companies after companies are reporting huge losses and are fiercly shuting down many production sites to cut down losses . Despite global scenario and IMF 's prediction of India's GDP growing around 5.2% , India is crusing along fine . Afterall it will be the second largest growing economy after China . But certain economists are of the view that India will be less affected by the gloomy scenario and will register a growth of around 7% in the nest fiscal .I pray they are right but we will have to wait for a certain time to celebrate .


So what are the causes for this recession , slowdown and all these stuffs?? May be I am not learned enough to cite the reasons .But I have a certain philosophical point of view .Sorry if I sound funny ,and if, ignore this . Like in a lifetime there are happy moments ,there is a boom in the economy .There are difficult,unhappy times in a life and likewise it is the slowdown ,gloomy times . The sensex last year was climbing dizzy heights and there were claims floating that it might reach 25000 points , Alongside India was recording a healthy growth rate and reaping the benefits of good times .But with sensex crashing for the past few months depict the uncertainities of the current time . On an optimistic note we know that every bad periods end with the beginning of good times .The past is the proof of the above statement. The growth of a counrty is something like a Sine curve .There will be crests and troughs for sure .But what will remain undetermined is it's time period that is for how long will there be healthy growth and for how much time will this slowdown lasts. The second thing which cannot be calculated is by how the economy would grow or contract but surely can be speculated . It is the time to search for the mistakes and rectify them .To revisit the basics , to enhance your skills , and thus remaining competitive .When will these times vanish remains unknown till then be optimistic .



So how am I surviving in this period of financial meltdown ? Certainly the credit crunch has taken a heavy toll on my lifestyle but then I never was a spendthrift .To deal with the situation I had to adopt various cost cutting methods and ofcourse in almost all the cases my poor stomach had to bear the consequences . For the past four months I had been wearing a pair of slippers with a large hole in one of it .It could have created a problem for me ,of much larger magnitude , if only a nail or something would have got into my feet . But now I am safe as I purchased a new pair after a lot of deliberation. Weekly I used eat out twice on tuesday and saturday ( thanks to the mess food ) but now I have scrapped the whole idea fo eating out. I have given up drinking (read juice ) . Now the only expense remains is the evening nasta which I will try to cut to minimum level . I cannot afford to go to a movie hall ( thank god no srk movie in near future) . I didn't pay for the hostel function as well as Kritansh but savoured the dinner on both the occasions ( thanks to Anand & Amrit ) . I hope to employ such measures in many more cases as long as it reduces the financial burden . As of now I just hope that my financial conditions would improve and start an upward movement ....boom time.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

DFS: Only Hope

OK! I am here after a long break with all my MBA exams over . Actually it got over on 18th Jan itself but then I had other things to worry (like TCS and mid sem ) . So it was very difficult for me to continue scribbling on my bolgs . I hope you people would have understood the situation or shall I give more excuses incase you are not convinced . Anyways I shall stop myself now. By now one thing which would have been quite obvious is that I don't love writing blogs or rather I should say that I don't enjoy it much . So I can't say it's my hobby just to show that I am a person of bit diverse hobbies . But the other part which is important in this context is that neither do I hate writting blogs . May be later on when I find something intersting to write about then I may find it enjoyable . But for time being let's go along with the flow.



January 28 2009 will always hold a special place in my heart . It was on this day that I was short listed for GD-PI by DFS. When I saw the result I couldn't believe my eyes because I wasn't expecting a call . This was not because I had performed badly but rather it was due the less number of seats in DFS which made it a cut throat competition . I guess I was lucky enough . After I had failed to deliver the goods in all the exams starting from CAT ,I had completely lost faith in myself and my abilities . I was already thinking about the next year when the good news arrived . DFS was the last exam written by me with all my hope already evaporated by then . But then too I gave it and lastly GOD heard my call and rewarded the hard work I had put in throughout my preparation . The devotion finally paid off . It was an institute which I always wanted to join because of my affinity towards finance . But then the journey ahead is tough too .GD-PI is a hard nut to crack for a person like me . But I am leaving no stone unturn to come out with flying colours . Whatever needs to be done I am doing that and the rest GOD himself will see. Signing off an optimistic note ....

Saturday, August 2, 2008

TIME has come

Somehow it seemed that I had forgotten this all important tool to reflect upon myself.In fact I desired to isolate it for quite sometime. But thanks to a very dear of mine for asking me why had I stopped this process.I was ecstatic !!! And why not.At last I found one soul who has enough time to read my blogs .Suddenly he made me realize that I belong to a particular league of AAmir khan and Amitabh bachhan who were famous bloggers. But the similarity ends here only as I am not a part of any advertising media as these icons are. And when they scribble something on their blog the whole of india reads the crap . To add to a similarity one more aspect is that He waits for my blog with the same enthusiasm as for his icons .At least now I can be content with that feeling .

Phew!! I have already scribbled a lot of crap today and that too in no time .Surely when it comes to speaking or writing nonsense no one does better than me .You can ask my friends or read the above lines to be sure about my abilities.Please forgive me if I took you fall or granted.

The days are passing by swiftly without me realizing it and the D-day is approaching apace.TIME mock tests are going on with each results mocking at my abilities and leaving me completely crestfallen.Something is seriously wrong with my approach and needs urgent attention before it is too late.Nothing to write about results as they are turning out to be pathetic and more pathetic.Trying hard to come to terms but I'm failing at each juncture. Seriously It has shook me belief in my abilities and compelled me to question myself incessantly .But the answers are a few only and more is needed at this hour to resurrect myself before the hour passes by. God help me out!!!


Saturday, June 14, 2008

Missing Out during Holidayz

After a good one and a half month of holidays or more appropriately a long layoff I got back which has been my habitat for the last three years. All the plans which I had made for summer vacations were blown away by an unfortunate incident .A brawl which broke among some boys of our hostel and could have turned into a more uglier scene before which the authorities acted .And as a result SINE-DIE was declared and we had to vacate our hostels within few hours .Had no choice but to go home cursing everybody involved especially the hostel authorities who made hell out of nothing. Going back home was surely to my delight as home made food tempts each of us .But my study was going to be hampered a lot and this was hurting like anything .Already all my plans had ended in smoke and then spending a long vacation at home at this juncture wasn't a great idea .However I made up mind to maximize my efforts but at the end of the day it's your home .Did as far as I could but the constant disturbances always kept me behind my target which I finally couldn't achieve .However hard I tried but couldn't turn a deaf ear to homely talks . But I would rather blame my self as the intensity lessened and the fire within began extinguishing for some reasons .I know what I have lost within these days but that cannot deter me from gaining in coming months .What's gone is gone forever . I know I'm the person responsible . I have done "something" obviously far below my own expectations . It's time to remain focussed for the next six months and do not let any other thoughts creep into your mind . It's all about controlling your mind .

Friday, April 4, 2008

You Need Luck Too !!!

Going by the placements in my college a serious question which has come to the surface is "Which is more important ,Intellect or luck?" If I hereby quote that intellect outweighs everything else then some of you would argue endlessly which I will not able to cope up with.But if I take the other stance I 'm not safe either .It's placement season and therefore companies have thronged our college. This has brought about a sea change in the attitude of all kinds of students, be it the knowledgeable one or the ones who are clinging to their luck .But the placements results has left a lot to be desired in terms to be known to them who are still not recruited .The unpredictable results has shook the confidence level of many a students.It has made them to doubt their own abilities and question their knowledge.Some are responsible for their own falls and but some are not "responsible" for their "highs".Yes i'm talking about such people who have ended with different companies just on sheer luck .I won't doubt their knowledge as they have nothing of that "sort" to doubt about.So it's quite simple If your luck accompanies you on a day you may not require the services of your brain .I can give numerous examples of such people who have landed with a job and are not deserving .Rather I should say not deserving enough to study the B.tech course .I know I'm harsh because in India poor children are unable to get a proper education leave aside getting a job .I won't get into this matter because it's useless. for me to talk as the plight of the poor won't change .


So i was speaking about the "lucky" ones .I would add to it further that their luck won't last forever as they will be ones who will be thrown out of the company first and then only they would realize.But then students who actually have a fair amount of knowledge and those who didn't have the luck with them on that particular day are not useless. It's just that one day their luck would too click and they would too land up with a job .Here I must say that some people are only themselves to blame and it would be better if they realize this as soon as possible.Be confident but not overconfident that it leads you to your downfall.It's a day which sees how better you apply your resources and how cool you are about things .And blah blah.....We all know such stuffs but why we all falter at the important moment will be a mystery .May be because we are humans and have variable amount of luck on a particular day.As a famous man says "Your hard work comprises 99% and luck just a meagre 1% but sometimes that 1% luck outweighs the 99% hard work and thus determines your success ."So better pray for good luck if you desire success at any level.I was lucky enough to get into TCS on the very first day of the campus.Come on !! Don't start doubting my "knowledge" .I know I have enough ( only scant).

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Now I AM A TCS ASSOCIATE

A week has passed out since my (stupendous ) success(I can say now or may be I'm not sure).But the truth is that I'm one of the guy to be recruited by TCS(obviously a software giant) on a campus drive a week ago.So this blog is dedicated to my hardwork and success and above all god who was with me right through the two day process. And when I say I was one the lucky lads I really mean it.Because many people who were excellent in tech (obviously I don't doubt mine) didn't get through and some with poor skills(read tech) sailed through.This is perhaps the irony of these placement drives.You need to have a great amount of technical knowledge or great luck or sometimes both.I personally believe that luck determines only 1% in success but sometimes this 1% luck outweighs 99% labour.And I had my share of luck on that day for two reasons .First I was interviewed by a Lady(don't take her for granted) who was kind enough not to ask absurd questions .And second I was at peace with my self(lucky enough because many of my dear friends got frustrated by the kind of "unkind" questions hurled at them without any mercy).The interview was a cool breeze with only some minor faults but she seemed impressed though I believe I could have spoken a bit slower.Need to take this fault seriously .Well I would not go into the actual questions and make this space a boring to read .As soon as I was out of the interview room I knew I had made a mark and was somewhat sure of my selection unless something wrong happened.But in the end after a lot of speculation ,the results were announced and my name was called(thank god) among those 310 lucky people.TCS has the largest workforce and is known to pick people in bulk(but that is not the reason why I was selected).And because of such a process some enter who are not supposed to be there(read misplaced).Therefore TCS throws out it's employees( sorry Associates) in order to weed out such "misplaced people"( I'm not fearing about it).


But is the battle won ? Nope!! The job is only half done or rather I would say it has just begun.I say this because now I can prepare for CAT where I long to belong(read: IIM) without any thoughts about placements creeping into my mind.Having secured a job in the very first company ,I have no tensions as of now.But my task ahead is cut out as i have only 7 months to go for the D day .If I 'm able to crack it that will be my biggest achievement till date and I'm quite capable of doing the same.And determined too.I have begun the same process which I had left before the placements and zeal remains the same or may be enhanced .This I have to achieve for my self .And I 'm quite contended or rather adamant to do it.Ahead is a long battle and only if I 'm quite focussed to bell it I see no reasons why I can't do it.So let's hope for the best not better and pray to GOD.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Peaceful Warrior:Are U At peace with yourself ?

Currently I'm busy(seriously) with my mid semester exams which will probably continue for a week and henceforth I would accelerate the preparations for the impending "placements".In between papers I got two day's holiday,much to dismay as I always wished it to by "unnoticed".It was declared a public holiday because this day coincided with the Birthday of Biju Patnaik ,whom you can call a pioneer of today's Orrisa .The other day due to "Mahashivratri" ,one of the prominent hindu festivals.Sometimes I wonder if there were no hindus in India surely students would have been deprived of such holidays.Anyhow no need to freak out .We welcome such breaks with open arms.Perhaps this time the timing for the holidays wasn't apposite because it needlessly extended the duration over which exams were supposed to be held.This irks me more as I quickly wanted to get over these exams and continue with my preparations for the placements .Well I took off time to relax( as always) and decided to procrastinate it.Actually I was too happy to see India win the CB series finals thrashing the mighty Australians . In fact the whole of India was rejoicing .Thanks to Sachin for such a masterful knock in both the finals .Sometimes I wonder how is he able to cope with the pressure of over one billion population.And he has been delivering that since his debut at such aa ripe age.But then soon I realize that he is Sachin ,a legend of Indian cricket in fact of world cricket .And those who don't like them or those who criticize them should go to hell.


So today I watched a movie titled "Peaceful Warrior" .I should call it a gem and seriously advice people to surely watch this one.Caution:This movie is full of philosophy and those who are weak at it (I mean allergy) should refrain themselves from watching such stuffs.I seriously beg to those people too who think at they know loads of "that" kind of stuff also should move away .I will not entertain any accusations later on.Anyhow I have a great affinity for anything which inspires me or anything which can bring about changes in me only to improve me as an individual.This hollywood flick is based on a novel with the same name and the protagonist "Dan millman " is it's author.I don't know whether it's based on a true life incident and i don't wan't to.So now i am on the hunt for the book itself after enjoying the flick.This movie is about Dan millman who is a gymnast and his struggles with "himself".His inner self ,his soul.Though he is quite happy with events happening in his life but is not able to get restful sleep in nights. Then he actually realizes that he isn't happy at all. There is something which time and again makes him sad ,makes him to fear. He fears that what would happen if he would not be able to qualify for the Olympics .Why is he constantly thinking about his competitors or about the gold medal which is his ultimate goal. During the trainings his mind is full of such useless thoughts which he is unable to part with .He is not at "PEACE" with himself.Then he meets with an elderly gentleman ,his own self actually, which unites him with peace .In the process he learns a lot about life while he was recuperating from an accident and finally he went on to realize all his dreams.Seriously this movie is loaded with beautiful quotations which are needed to be jotted down .Journey is what that makes happy ,not the destination.Get rid of your pride and your possessions.Got a taste of that stuff.Taking a cue from Millamn's life.....